Abstract: Respiratory therapy apparatus includes an oscillating expiratory therapy device and pressure and flow sensors in the patient inlet connected to supply signals to a processor. The processor includes artificial intelligence software to correlate the output signals with prescribed values and control a feedback device that prompts the patient accordingly to adjust use of the device as necessary. The feedback device may be of a visual, audible or tangible kind. The processor may also automatically adjust a setting dial of the therapy device by means of an actuator.

Abstract: A tracheostomy tube (1) has an inflatable sealing cuff (13) and an array of one or more RFID pressure sensors (120) around the cuff. A leakage unit (30) interrogates the sensors (120) to determine any regions around the cuff having incomplete contact with the tracheal wall indicative of potential leakage between the cuff and the wall of the trachea.

Abstract: Ventilator apparatus includes a pump (41) connected to supply pressurised air both to an air reservoir (23) and to an oxygen concentrator (70) that supplies pressurised oxygen to an oxygen reservoir (24). The outlet (50) of the air reservoir (23) is connected to the inlet of a breathing circuit (30) via an entrainment device (56) so that pressurised air from the reservoir entrains atmospheric air. The outlet (84) of the oxygen reservoir (24) is connected via oxygen tubing (99) to the patient end of the breathing circuit (30). A patient valve (90) at the patient end (93) of the breathing circuit (30) opens to allow the patient to exhale via openings (97) in the valve. The oxygen supply is switched to supply oxygen to the breathing circuit (30) during the expiratory phase so that oxygen in the circuit is inhaled during a subsequent inhalation phase.

Abstract: An expiratory, vibratory therapy device (100, 200 300, 400) includes a compliance meter (104, 204, 304, 404) having a cylinder (110, 210, 310, 410) with a piston (111, 211, 411) movable along its length. The piston is urged by a spring (116, 226) to one end of the cylinder. The opposite end of the cylinder has an air inlet (120, 123, 219) normally closed by a springloaded occluder (129). The occluder (129) is moved to open the air inlet when the patient exhales in the prescribed manner. This allows some air to enter the cylinder and enables the piston to be displaced. The piston is coupled to a flag (106, 206, 306, 406) visible to the patient. When the correct number of prescribed breaths have been made the piston displaces the flag to indicate completion of the therapy.

Abstract: A gas-powered, pneumatic ventilator (1) is driven by compressed air from a compressor (2) and its outlet (11) is connected via corrugated tubing (30) to a patient valve (34) and face mask or the like. A source (4) of pure oxygen, such as from an oxygen cylinder (40), is connected via small bore tubing (38) to a gas inlet (37) adjacent the air inlet (33) of the patient valve (34) so that supplementary oxygen is mixed with the air. The patient valve (34) closes and a patient dump valve (16) in the ventilator opens during the exhalation phase to allow oxygen supplied to the patient valve (34) to fill the corrugated tubing (30) from the patient end (32) and displace air in the tubing out of the patient dump valve (16) so that a volume of oxygen is collected in the tubing and is dispensed to the patient during the next inspiratory phase.

Abstract: Respiratory therapy apparatus includes an oscillating expiratory therapy device (100) and pressure and flow sensors (20 and 21) in the patient inlet (7) connected to supply signals to a processor (24). The processor (24) includes artificial intelligence software to correlate the output signals with prescribed values and control a feedback device (26) that prompts the patient accordingly to adjust use of the device as necessary. The feedback device (26) may be of a visual, audible or tangible kind. The processor (24) may also automatically adjust a setting dial (5) of the therapy device (100) by means of an actuator (27).

Abstract: A resuscitator has two separate, spaced controls (23) and (30) both of which can be actuated manually to open a valve (100) and deliver a breathing cycle of a maximum timed duration to a patient. One control (23) has a button (24) on the top (13) of the unit (1), which is pushed in to actuate. A ring (25) surrounds the button (24) and has cam profiles (122) that engage with cam pins (120) on the button to push and hold it down when rotated. The other control (30) is on the underside surface (14), facing the patient and adjacent the gas outlet (5). This control includes a toggle lever (31), which can be displaced laterally in two different planes to open the valve (100).